With the St. Louis Cardinals formally lacking the playoffs for the second straight season, there are many individuals to level the finger at for what went improper and followers will need to see modifications this offseason earlier than persevering with to fill Busch Stadium.
After a sluggish begin, the Cardinals turned issues round and fought their means again into the playoff hunt. However that they had a significant collapse after the commerce deadline and can spend the final week of the season combating to remain above .500.
The Cardinals ought to do all the things they will to grow to be an element within the Nationwide League Central subsequent season.
Listed here are three strikes that must happen earlier than the beginning of the 2025 season.
Minimize ties with hitting coach Turner Ward
The offense has been abysmal. The offense has scored the second-fewest runs within the Nationwide League whereas additionally having the fifth-lowest OPS. Of the eight gamers who made 100 or extra appearances this season solely two have managed to bat above .270, and the Cardinals haven’t got a hitter with greater than 73 RBI.
Star first baseman Paul Goldschmidt and third baseman Nolan Arenado are wrapping up the worst years of their All-Star-caliber careers and just a few gamers confirmed enchancment from the 2023 season.
Whereas not all the things is straight on the shoulder of the hitting coach, the offensive failures all through the lineup present {that a} change in philosophy is required.
Parting methods with Ward could be the primary of many steps to revive religion within the storied franchise.
Commerce beginning pitcher Miles Mikolas in any respect prices
Making $17.6M this season, Cardinals pitcher Miles Mikolas has rewarded the crew by being one of many worst beginning pitchers in baseball. He has not often given the crew a chance to win when he has taken the mound.
Presently 11th of September with the second-highest ERA amongst certified pitchers at 5.35, Mikolas is a 12 months faraway from main the MLB in hits allowed and is ranked third this season. The 36-year-old has allowed opposing batters to hit .283 towards him.
Whereas he has been sturdy, making 30-plus begins in every of the previous three seasons, the Cardinals want extra from their rotation.
The perfect hope for the Cardinals could be discovering a commerce associate this offseason, even when it meant consuming a bit of the $17.6M he’s due subsequent 12 months, and letting one in all their younger minor league starters like Michael McGreevy take his spot within the rotation for the 2025 season.
Purchase a middle-of-the-order bat to bolster the lineup
With Goldschmidt wrapping up his ultimate season underneath contract and with a couple of others additionally coming off the books, the Cardinals may have some cash to work with this offseason. Their principal focus ought to be buying an influence bat to plug into the center of their lackluster lineup.
A few gamers set to be free brokers after the 2024 season, notably Baltimore Orioles outfielder Anthony Santander and New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso, match the necessity and ought to be excessive on the Cardinals’ want record going into the offseason.
There may be additionally one title that they have been tied to on the commerce deadline who could be an ideal match: Oakland Athletics outfielder Brent Rooker. The 29-year-old outfielder has seemingly put all of it collectively on the plate after having a breakout season final 12 months.
Presently slashing .296/.367/.502 with 38 residence runs, 110 RBI and 11 stolen bases, buying and selling for him would not be low cost. However the Cardinals have items {that a} crew just like the A’s would covet as they proceed their rebuild within the American League West.
